Printer Used To Create Human Kidney Model

A scientist substituted ink cartridges for human cells and organic material to 'print out' a human kidney model on stage at a US technology show.

Surgeon Anthony Atala created the model at the Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference in the California city of Long Beach, PressTV reports.

Mr Atala, from Wake Forest University, produced the model by taking a 3D image of a kidney that needs replacing, then using a tiny tissue sample to 'seed' a computerised process, using a printer to build the organ layer-by-layer.

"It's like baking a cake," he said.

It is thought the technology could one day be used to print organs for use in humans, but it is currently in a primitive stage and that could still be some way off.

Recently, scientists used a modified printer to develop a machine that can print skin - that could one day be used to provide grafts and treat soldiers.